January 4, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 1

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1Book1Diocese for Lent

The 1Book1Diocese read for Lent is a classic work, Beginning to Pray by Anthony Bloom. This simple and powerful book, was written by the atheist son of a diplomat who converted to Christianity while working as a physician. Becoming a Russian Orthodox priest in 1948, he was consecrated as bishop in 1957. He became the metropolitan bishop in charge of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain and Ireland. At the heart of all of his preaching and teaching was the vital importance of a personal encounter with God in prayer.


"Clear and compelling teaching on encountering God in prayer is all too rare in the Church," Bishop Logue said. "I find the stories used to illustrate the points open up so much wisdom. The brief chapters are worthy of reflection. This book had a positive impact on my own prayer life and I am looking forward to the Diocese of Georgia studying it together."


The 1970 book is readily available both in a new edition and in used copies. You can find the reading guide for the Diocese of Georgia here. The guide offers questions for groups to use for the weeks following the Sundays in Lent with an optional meeting in Holy Week.

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Enid Stone (1920-2022)

The Diocese mourns the death of Enid Stone, wife of the late Rev. Hermon Stone, at the age of 102.


Enid was born August 16th, 1920 in a region of Nicaragua known as Greytown, San Juan Del Norte. She was the youngest of eleven siblings, her dad was an Anglican Priest and her mom the church organist. Enid recalls a happy childhood which she spent traveling between Bluefields, a city on the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and Corn Island where her father had established a mission. Since there were no schools on Corn Island, she would travel to Bluefields during the school year to study, staying with her Aunt in a barrio called Pointeen. However, when the school year ended, the Bishop from the Church of England who was making his diocesan church visits, would ask her to join him on the boat ride to Corn Island. Enid lightheartedly recalled the Bishop instructing her to call him "Mi Lord" when addressing him. Enid had many fond memories of life on Big Corn Island with her parents, especially the beautiful beaches and her mother's cooking.


During World War ll, Enid moved to Colon, Panama, where she met and married Herman P. Stone, a US Navy Submariner stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. They were to go on to have four children together: Yvonne, Sylvia, Herman, and Victoria. The Rev. Herman and Enid Stone moved to Brunswick, Georgia, to serve St. Athanasius Church. Her husband died in 1994. Enid continued to live in Glynn County with her daughter Victoria, and son-in-law, the Rev. Frazier Green nearby.


A graveside service for Enid Stone will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Cemetery, 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522.

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The Rev. John Lane (1933-2023)

The Diocese mourns the death of The Rev. John Lane. He passed away on Tuesday, January 3 in Americus. Deacon Lane is shown at left on the Resort Dock on Lake Blackshear, where he assisted for many years with Worship on the Water in the summer months.


Funeral plans will be announced as the information becomes available. Please join in prayer for his wife Beth, and their family.


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2023 Visitation Schedule

Bishop Logue's schedule for all of 2023 is now available, adding visits in June and August through December. The visitation schedule emphasizes Sunday morning visits as congregations prefer these visits to a weeknight or Sunday afternoon. Not every congregation will be listed. With 71 visitations to make to congregations, campus ministries, and a school, it is not possible to visit every congregation each year. Those not scheduled in 2023, will be visited before the summer of 2024. Bishop Logue is pictured here with the children's choir at All Saints in Thomasville.


"I am currently getting everywhere at least once every 18 months," Bishop Logue said in his Address to Convention. He added, "I often hear that congregations would like to see me and Victoria more often, and we share that desire. Victoria and I love worshiping with you and spending time together. We are open to more non-Sunday visits if congregations would like to find a way to see us a bit sooner."


If your congregation would like to make a change to the proposed date, contact the Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Maggie Lyons. She returns from maternity leave on January 9. Please do not work out a swap with another congregation without talking to Maggie as there may be other events the bishop needs to attend that are why he is in a given part of the Diocese for a Sunday visit.


2023 Bishop Visitation Schedule

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Bishop's 2022 Journal online

The 2022 Journal for Bishop Logue is now in the Diocese of Georgia's online archives. In offering this glimpse into his day to day work as chief pastor, Logue said, "The discipline of keeping a journal is helpful to me as a spiritual practice and that was all the more true this year with both the General Convention and the Lambeth Conference as well as travels around central and south Georgia."


To read the text Bishop Logue's 2022 journal, click here.


For a full pdf with photos of the year along with the journal, click here.


We have journals for many of our bishops, going back to the first Bishop of Georgia, the Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr. who followed the then common practice of reading his journal into his convention address (his address of 1842 is an example). In more recent years, we have in the online archives a journal each from Bishop StuartBishop Shipps and Bishop Louttit, as well as Bishop Logue's 2020 Journal and Bishop Logue's 2021 Journal.

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The Market at St. Peter's

St. Peter’s on Skidaway Island is in its 24th year of funding local non-profit organizations, having raised 1.4 million dollars thus far. The Market at 3 West Ridge (St. Peter’s street address) consists of a boutique trunk show and plant sale. The trunk show features carefully selected vendors from across the country offering merchandise not locally available. The Market’s plant sale offers the opportunity to pre-order a wide assortment of early spring plants or to make a purchase during the Market days from a choice of several hundred annuals and perennials, hanging baskets, and containers. 


Each year, the Market selects two local non-profit organizations for support and partners with them in fund-raising effort. This year, People of Action Caring for Kids (P.A.C.K.) was chosen for its fight against food insufficiency, and Heads Up Guidance Services (H.U.G.S.) was selected for its long-term mental health work. 


P.A.C.K. was started by a mom who wanted to teach her sons the importance of helping others. That simple idea has grown into a large warehouse where food bags are packed, each with a personal message from another child, and a children’s clothing store with a fairy tale feel where foster children and children in crisis can select clothes three times a year. Staffed entirely by volunteers, 15,000 strong, P.A.C.K. delivers bags of food to 37 local schools and community centers each week and sends food home on Fridays for children in need of nutrition over the weekend.   


HUGS’ professional counselors provide a comprehensive range of mental health services, both virtually and in person. One of their programs addresses topics critical to teens, to include substance abuse education, anger and stress management, and the ramifications of bullying. They also conduct Youth and Family counseling, parent support groups and women’s abuse and trauma groups. Since 2009 HUGS has served over 2500 individuals and families in our community and works with universities to provide training for Masters level interns.  


The Market is open to the public on Tuesday, February 7 from 5-7:30 p.m. (free wine and appetizers), Wednesday, February 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Thursday, February 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (lunches $10). Tickets for the Market are available at the door for $5 and good for all three days.

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Walk with the Diocese in the Savannah

MLK Day Parade

Join the Diocese as we participate in the MLK Jr. Day Parade through Savannah on January 16, 2023.


Those who would like to participate may park at St. Matthew's and be shuttled to the beginning of the parade route in front of East Broad Elementary School. There will be a trolley for those who are not able to walk the entirety of the route.


The parade ends near St. Matthew's where the parish will host a short service of Communion and hold a reception. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and participants will need to arrive at St. Matthew's no later than 9 a.m. to shuttle to where the parade will begin.


Other opportunities to walk

Groups of Episcopalians also gather for the parades in Brunswick, Statesboro, Tybee Island, and elsewhere. If your congregation would like to share information with the Diocese in advance of the day, please email lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org.

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Leading with Grace Registration open

Leading with Grace is a Diocese of Georgia leadership program for clergy and laity. Facilitators include clergy and laity from around the diocese, from some of our largest parishes to some of our smallest. This four-weekend program includes large and small group discussion and activities, along with research-based instruction, focusing on relationships  inside and outside the church, strategic planning for growth and change, best leadership practices, and opportunities for transformation through conflict and anxiety. All parish leaders - clergy, vestry, wardens, and committee leaders - are encouraged to attend. 



Each weekend begins Friday with Eucharist at

5 p.m. at Honey Creek, and concludes by 3 p.m. Saturday on the following weekends in 2023: 

 

  • February 10-11 
  • April 14-15 
  • August 18-19 
  • September 29-30 


Participants need to commit to each of the four weekends to fully benefit from the program. Teams of 2-4 from parishes are encouraged, although single participants (and larger teams) are welcome. Program Registration is now available at https://bit.ly/LeadingWithGrace. Room Reservations for each individual weekend will be available on the Honey Creek website in the new year.

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Bishop Albert Rhett Stuart

As we approach the bicentennial of our founding in 2023, we will share the story of the Diocese of Georgia. This week we remember Bishop Stuart.

In 1954 at the diocesan electing convention in St. Paul’s Church in Savannah, 17 candidates were on the ballot for Bishop of Georgia. The election was a decisive one as the Diocese elected the Very Rev. Albert Rhett Stuart, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans on the second ballot.


Born in 1906 in Washington, DC, Stuart grew up in Eastover, SC., son of a country doctor. He attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia and graduated from University of Virginia in 1928, and Virginia Theological Seminary in 1931. Ordained priest at Church of the Resurrection, Greenwood in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina by Bishop K. G. Finlay. He became rector of this parish, leaving in 1936 to become rector of St. Michael’s Church in Charleston. In 1945, Stuart married Isabella C. Alston. They would have two children, Garden and Isabelle. He served as chaplain in the US Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1947 and returned to become the Cathedral Dean in New Orleans.

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Bishop Stuart and his family lived in the episcopal residence on Victory Drive and Reynolds Street in Savannah. The diocesan office at that time was in the basement of Christ Church in Savannah; the sole full time employee Olwyn Morgan, a native of Wales. Bishop Stuart moved the offices to 611 East Bay Street, which allowed for additional staff and a chapel. The bishop’s wife, Isabella, died in an automobile accident in South Carolina enroute to their vacation cottage. She was, of course, much mourned by the Diocese, as well as by Bishop Stuart and his family.


In his 1962 convention address, after announcing the largest number of confirmations in the history of the diocese during the prior year, 819 persons, Bishop Stuart noted: “This is a gratifying achievement, but I must point out that it is below the normal growth rate of 10% of our communicants. If your congregation did not present for confirmation 10% of your communicant strength during the year, it is apparent that the members of your congregation are shifting their evangelistic responsibility to the clergy. The instruction for Confirmation in the Diocese should emphasize that each person presenting will himself be expected to present one other person for confirmation within the year.”

Bishop Stuart always dressed in black vest and white shirt with French cuffs. Bishop Harry Shipps wrote of Stuart that he was, “The epitome of a Southern gentleman, he had impeccable credentials, strong leadership skills, and innate wisdom, all of which served him well as the storm clouds of racial unrest appeared over the South.”



Henry Louttit, recalls in his booklet, Saints of the Diocese of Georgia how Bishop Stuart was often the only white voice for integration in Savannah willing to speak on TV. He remembered him speaking up for welcoming groups seeking to integrate churches, “This is a free country. You can belong to any kind of church you wish, but the Episcopal Church has never asked anyone why they were coming to the church. We are not starting asking people now. This church is open to anyone who wishes to worship.”


When Bishop Stuart was consecrated in 1954, there were 8,904 communicants in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. He served as diocesan bishop through 1971, by which time the diocese had grown to 12,180 communicants.



Pictured: Bishop Stuart's official portrait (top) and (below) Bishop Stuart is pictured with his secretary Olwyn Morgan in his office at 611 East Bay Street in Savannah.

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Feast of Feasts continues online

The Diocese of Georgia is offering daily devotions written by Bishop Frank and Victoria Logue for a 7-week study from Advent through Epiphany. The short daily readings use the lens of Franciscan ideals including humility, simplicity, and peace as a focal point of each week. This is perfect to enjoy as a solo study, a small group, or as an offering for the whole congregation. The devotions are being posted online daily on our website and social media channels.




You can find each week's devotions, as well as the accompanying video for the week, on our website. Click on the day of the devotion, and it will expand with the day's reading.


You can find additional ways to acquire the full PDF online or the book on our website here.

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Across the Diocese

The Rev. Thomas Barron (center) with the altar party at Our Savior Episcopal Church in Martinez.

The Very Rev. Leslie Dellenbarger and Beth Mithen (left) at St. John's in Bainbridge accept handmade knit caps for newborns (right) from Barbara Collison to be blessed at the altar.

Our Honey Creek Retreat Center is debt free and ready to serve future generations.

On December 30, 2022, Canon Katie Easterlin came in with her daughter, Amelia, and she worked with Bishop Logue, Daniel Garrick, and Canon Mary Willoughby to make final deposits and cut last checks, including paying off the remaining amount owed on the loan taken to cover the Honey Creek bonds during this third and final year of the special 2% assessment. Our retreat center is debt free for the first time in decades. Thank you for your faithfulness!

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We want to hear from you!

If you would like to have your submission considered for From the Field, it needs to be sent to Communications Manager Liz Williams (lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org) by noon on Tuesday.

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Prayer for Weekly Liturgies

Our one-year prayer cycle combines prayers for every congregation in the Diocese of Georgia with prayers for our ecumenical partners and for our Companion Diocese of The Dominican Republic.    


The 2023 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2023 Prayer Cycle. 


January 8 - 14

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Americus, Calvary, and for our ecumenical partners in Americus especially St. Mary’s Catholic Church and for St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Plains. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Azua—Reconciliation (La Reconciliación) and St. George (San Jorge). 


January 15 - 21

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Augusta, especially, the Church of the Atonement and Christ Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Augusta, especially Advent Lutheran Church, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and The Church of the Resurrection Lutheran Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the Church of the Transfiguration (La Transfiguración) in Banî. 


Newly Revised 31-Day Prayer Cycles

We also offer 30-day prayer cycles for those who wish to pray daily for the clergy and clergy spouses: Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle. (Updated 11/30/2022)

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Diocesan Office Update and News

Bishop Logue will make his visitation to Trinity in Statesboro on Sunday.


To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 1/2/2023)


Picture: Amelia Easterlin got her first look at Diocesan House on December 30. She is shown here being held by her mother, Canon Katie Easterlin. Canon Mary Willoughby is working in the background on posting the last deposit for the year.



Maggie Lyons, Executive Assistant to the Bishop returns from maternity leave next week. Canon Katie Easterlin remains on maternity leave.


The best way to reach a staff member is via email as we will always get back with you promptly in many cases and in 24-72 hours when working on more pressing matters. Staff e-mails can be found here with a list of responsibilities so you know who to contact for what.


You may also reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.

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New Year, New Marriage

The Very Rev. Michael White officiates the wedding of Kaki Zambetti and Chris Logan during the New Year's Day service at Christ Church in Savannah.

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